Aeros To Face Admirals Next

AEROS, ADMIRALS TO BATTLE IN WEST DIVISION FINAL

The American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros and Milwaukee Admirals have announced the dates and times for their 2006 West Division Final. The Admirals advanced to the division final by virtue of their 4-1, Game 7 win over Iowa today. Milwaukee, the top seed in the West Division, and second-seeded Houston have occupied the top two spots in the division, in one way or the other, since December 9.

Game 1 is Thursday, May 4 at Milwaukee’s Bradley Center at 7 p.m., followed by Game 2 on Saturday, May 6 at 7 p.m., also in Milwaukee. The series shifts to Houston’s Toyota Center for Game 3 on Sunday, May 7, at 6:05 p.m. and Game 4 on Tuesday, May 9, at 7:35 p.m. Those games are represented by Games “E” and “F” for Aeros’ playoff tickets. Those tickets are on sale now. Game 5, if necessary, is also at Toyota Center, on Wednesday, May 10 at 7:35 p.m.

The teams split eight games during the 2005-06 regular season, although the Aeros were 4-3-0-1 and earned nine points to Milwaukee’s eight, thanks to a 6-5 Admirals shootout win on February 4. Houston went 2-1-0-1 at Toyota Center, and 2-2-0-0 at Milwaukee’s Bradley Center. The Aeros were just 1-2-0-1 in the first four meetings this season, but won three of the last four. Houston features former Admirals Curtis Murphy, Bryan Lundbohm and Seamus Kotyk. Murphy won his second straight Calder Cup with Milwaukee in 2004, and Lundbohm was on the roster but injured.

Recent history is not on the Aeros’ side. An AHL team sweeping a best-of-seven series has lost its next series the last six occasions, and 10 of 11 times since 1999-2000. The lone team to win the next series after a sweep was Bridgeport in 2001-02.

Tickets are available at the Toyota Center Box Office, at select area Randalls locations, online at www.aeros.com or by calling 1.866.GO.AEROS.

The Toyota Center Box Office is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and from 12 p.m.-event time on Sunday event days. Single-game playoff tickets for the West Division Final begin at $16. Please visit www.aeros.com or call the Aeros office at 713.974.PUCK for more information on playoff packages, playoff vouchers and special group pricing for the Calder Cup Playoffs.